The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-11-10

to the needs anoIopportunities of our
rural young be su ostituted for the
preparatory education that fails SO
signally to educate in the true
sense. Until this is done, the ag-
riculturaI classes of our state can
not hope to occupy successfully and
politically that higher plane to
which they SO rightfully belong.
The education of our common
schools must be invested with a
higher Importance, its scope and OBJ
jects clearly defined, it's methods
wisely adapted to these objects, and
those most deeply concerned must
become thoroughly alive to the in
terests involved. To submit to less
than is here demanded, ia to sur
render a sacred right-the right Of
every farmer to demand every fa-
cility and advantage, consistent
with public interest, in the educa-
tion of his children. It is to ROB
the young Of the facilities for edu-
cation, OF the. mental discipline and
tanning, of the practical qualifca.
ton for active prosperous life to
which they have a birth-right.
A new and remarkable progress
is lighting up the industrial horizon
of our state. Old and new cities,
even in our midst, are expanding
and springing up by magic; enter
prise is rife in every direction; new
industries, manufactures, furnaces,
are beng built up; railroads are
stretching their arms in every di
rection and inviting further devel-
opment; agriculture must keep
pace with the general progress, but
its magic must be sought for in its
own inherent energies. No out
side power will restore its waste
places, no rich corporation will en-
rich the impoverished fields or re
move the obstacles to profitable
culture. Patient industry and 8
wise economy in the details of farm
management, together with the in.
telligent appreciation Of under
lying principles, will alone prove
the open SESAME to it's richest
treasury. Farmers must still gath
er the wisdom they need from in
terchange of thought, close obser-
vation and experience. In doing
this they labor under difficulties
that must not stand in the way OF
the future farmer. That menta
development, discipline, training,
that earl Y practical education that
gives best qualification for inteIli
gent scientific culture, must be pro
vided for now, and 40 more in
portant duty devolves upon the
farmers of the present than that
which lies in that direction. The
growing demand for the soil and in
creasing population gives ;assur
ance OF future contingencies thai
must be met by wiser methods OF
culture. In these respects we are
following in the footsteps Of otheI
, countries whose examples gives Us
timely warning. Nor should We
allow the probable remo]eness o.
The contingency to which reference
is made cause delay in the dis
charge of present duty. We ars
pleading with the farmers of Ten
nessse for the liberal patronage o.
our own one agricultural anu me
chanioal college, in view Of press
ing emergency that is upon us. We
are urging upon them The impor
lance OF adapting our public
schools to the practical and techni
cal education of the indnstr a.
classes Of the state to better fiji
them to meet the changed conditions
Of life and iah0r in late years.
Italy, scarcely larger than oul
own state, to meet the necessity fol
The highest possible culture, sup
ports two of the highest agricultur
al colleges in Europe, two others O
horticulture and veterinary, 20 les
son schools in her several provinces
and teaches the rudiments of ths
science in every village and hamlet
Bavaria has % agricultural college.
and 70 associations. Baden, will
100000 Inhabitants, has Ii college.
and 4 schools of gardening and for
estry. We might multiply exam.
pies il it were necessary. 1t will b,
wise in US to take time by the fore
lock and profit by the examples be-
fore Us, which sbundantly teache.
US the urgent need OF prompt aDt
intelligent action in the premises
We submit, in concluding thi,
paper, that the suggestions of dut,
and interest herein urged are wor-
thy of grave consideration. Tn,
subject Is too important to the in
terests of agriculture Of the presen
and the future, to the interests O.
society and good government to b.
lightly regarded.
Agriculture is now a learned pro
fession, the duties of citizenship
grow more complex with the gener-
al progress around sand the farm
3 or needs brosd and varied intelli-
gence to enable him to fill his posi-
J ton as an Industrial, social snd pc
litlcal factor, This education mus
be acquired, and largely, by self.
; education for which practical an,
! technical education in the common
schools must as far as possible la,
The foundation for the large nambe
dependent upon them. No cias
t hsye pr2founder interest in thi
+ direction than the farmers of 7 en-
= nessee. II.